An afternoon crocus

A crocus was in flower this afternoon. It's one of the several crocuses by the front walk that come back every winter (I almost wrote spring!) These predate our gardening efforts and are an echo from someone long ago who thought to plant them there.

More snow

The snow fell until almost midnight, and we woke up to a thick blanket of snow.

A late winter snow

Snow is a matter of delight and concern for those of us who live in warmer winter climates.

Because we're so unused to snow, snow (or ice) days shut down schools, offices, and government buildings. Everyone stays home, hopefully warm, if the power is still on.

But, we're all still delighted to see the beauty of the snow cloaking trees, softening the landscape, and creating an unfamiliar wintry scene. And, we dash out to enjoy snowballs, sliding down slopes on cardboard, and other winter delights.

We've had lots of cold weather this winter, but no snow, so having large flakes pelting down late this afternoon and the prospects of 2-4 inches overnight was unexpected and fun to see, at least when you don't have to be traveling!

There was an Eastern Towhee pair kicking up mulch, foraging for seeds near the front stone path, as the snow came down. I wish I'd gotten a clear photo of them, but the light was already too dim.

The view from the porch was lovely, and a nice contrast to the view in warmer times.